Calcific aortic valve stenosis is an active biological process, though clinical trials of statins and angiotensin II antagonists have failed to support their use as treatments.
Calcific aortic valve stenosis is an active biological process sharing mechanisms with atherosclerosis, though therapies targeting these pathways have not proven effective in clinical trials.
Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the result of regulated cell processes. The histological hallmarks are inflammation and a remodelling of the extracellular matrix leading to bone formation. In the last 15 years the view has changed from it being an unmodifiable degenerative disease to an active biological process regulated by highly conserved ubiquitous cellular pathways. Many mechanisms and risk factors are the same as in atherosclerosis. Thus, statins and angiotensin II antagonists seemed promising treatment options. However, clinical trials failed to support this. This review describes the current understanding of major molecular mechanisms and discusses their role in clinical practice and possible therapy.
Akat et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Calcific aortic valve stenosis. Calcific aortic valve stenosis is an active biological process, though clinical trials of statins and angiotensin II antagonists have failed to support their use as treatments.